“Don’t try to use John Reed to pressure me. Your job is to patrol. If you had done your own work properly, this kidnapping wouldn’t have happened.” Ethan Brooks, angered by Andrew Carter’s attitude, sneered as he spoke.

The security of this area was, after all, the responsibility of the patrolmen.

Now that a case had occurred, it could only be said that Andrew Carter had failed in his duty.

Of course, the patrolmen could only put on a show; when it came to real investigations, it was up to detectives like them.

“Even tigers have moments when they doze off. Besides, before a crime happens, who could have predicted a kidnapping? We patrolmen aren’t clairvoyant.” John Reed suddenly walked over from behind, picking up where Andrew Carter had left off.

John Reed was tall and sturdy, with a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a piercing gaze.

He had served in the police department for ten years, starting as a third-class patrolman. Although he hadn’t had much schooling, his seniority surpassed that of Ethan Brooks.

“Inspector Reed.” Upon hearing John Reed’s voice, Andrew Carter immediately saluted him respectfully.

In fact, he had already noticed John Reed; otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken to Ethan Brooks in that way.

No matter what John Reed thought of him, for now, all criticism would be directed at Ethan Brooks.

Originally, John Reed did intend to blame Andrew Carter, but after hearing Ethan Brooks’s words, he immediately sided with Andrew Carter in his mind.

Patrolmen can’t handle cases? He couldn’t speak for others, but under his command, he had solved several impressive cases.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have accumulated enough merit to be promoted to inspector.

“This case has already been handed over to the detective division by the higher-ups, and I am in charge. You don’t need to get involved any further.” Upon seeing John Reed, Ethan Brooks showed no sign of guilt; instead, he spoke righteously.

“In that case, we don’t want to get involved either. Andrew Carter, take your men and go on duty.” John Reed said coldly.

“Yes.” Andrew Carter replied in a deep voice.

Chapter Five: Stirring the Grass and Startling the Snake

After leaving the Sun family residence, Andrew Carter didn’t go far; he was waiting for John Reed.

Yesterday, he had seen suspicious individuals across the street. Even if he didn’t cooperate with Ethan Brooks, he should at least inform John Reed.

John Reed was his direct superior, and under normal circumstances, he would still show respect.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” When John Reed came out and saw that Andrew Carter was still there, he asked in surprise.

He had parted with Ethan Brooks on bad terms and was feeling quite displeased. Even if Ethan Brooks was the chief inspector, there was no need to put on airs in front of him, was there?

A case that happened in the British concession—without the cooperation of the patrolmen, could the detective division solve it on their own?

But Ethan Brooks, this fake foreign devil, insisted on hogging the spotlight. It was bad enough that he looked down on Andrew Carter, but he even showed him no respect.

“After work yesterday, I saw two suspicious people across the street.” Andrew Carter said respectfully.

“Tell me the details.” John Reed narrowed his eyes and spoke softly.

Sun Baoquan had been kidnapped yesterday evening, and Andrew Carter had spotted suspicious people nearby after work.

Whether or not those people were involved, it was still an important lead.

Andrew Carter quickly recounted what had happened yesterday evening, watching John Reed’s expression as he spoke.

“I originally wanted to tell Chief Inspector Brooks, but before I could say anything, he was already trying to send me away…” After finishing, Andrew Carter couldn’t help but complain.

“If he looks down on us, let him handle it himself.” John Reed said indifferently.

Ethan Brooks was arrogant and thought all patrolmen were useless—let him investigate on his own, then.

“Inspector Reed, I’d like to try my luck in the concession today. Maybe I’ll run into them.” Andrew Carter suddenly said.

“They just committed a crime yesterday—would they dare show up today? Maybe they’ve already left.” John Reed shook his head.

If the Sun family had reported the case last night, there might have been a chance to trap the culprits in the concession.

But since the report was only made this morning, unless the kidnappers came to demand ransom, there was no way to catch them.

That was probably why Ethan Brooks didn’t want the patrolmen involved—he likely knew this as well.

The information Andrew Carter provided wasn’t all that important, but if Ethan Brooks didn’t know about it, it would make his investigation harder, which pleased John Reed.

“What if they haven’t left?” Andrew Carter insisted.

He felt that as long as there was a sliver of hope, he had to give it his all.

Sometimes, solving a case required luck, but opportunities favored those who were prepared.

“Let’s talk about it back at the station.” John Reed glanced around and suddenly spoke.

He and Andrew Carter lingering at the Sun family’s door would easily attract attention.

The reason Ethan Brooks didn’t want the patrolmen involved, aside from their lack of investigative skills, was also to avoid alerting the kidnappers that the Sun family had reported the case.

Andrew Carter sighed inwardly. John Reed’s lack of a direct response was a rejection of his suggestion.

That morning, Jardine Matheson approached the police department, demanding the case be solved quickly.

Even if the culprit wasn’t caught, at the very least, Sun Baoquan had to be found.

Jardine Matheson held a board seat in the British concession, so when they came knocking, Clayson took it very seriously and immediately ordered that the case be solved as soon as possible.

However, cases couldn’t be solved just because someone said so. Even with all of Ethan Brooks’s efforts, there were still no leads.

All he could do now was wait for the kidnappers to demand ransom.